System and process for presenting search results in a histogram/cluster format

Abstract

A user interface system and process for graphically displaying the results of a standard search, such as a database search, to a user on a display device via an interactive search results window in which the user views and filters search results items. These results can be presented in either a cluster or histogram format, or both. This allows the user to visualize the results graphically, rather than just displaying a list of the items found. In addition the presentation of the search results can be graphically manipulated to easily filter the results as desired by the user.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] The invention is related to displaying the results of an electronic search, such as a database search, to a user, and more particularly to a system and process for graphically displaying the results of a search to a user on a display via an interactive search results window having a histogram and / or cluster format in which the user views and filters search results items. [0003] 2. Background Art [0004] The personal computer will eventually have extremely large amounts of storage capacity, resulting in larger data stores, and search results that will be produced in large sets. These large search results sets will be difficult to analyze effectively. Thus, navigation and filtering (reduction) of the search results is needed. [0005] The typical timeline displays of the search results can be difficult to deal with in certain scales of time or number of objects. Further, clustering of the search results can be advantageous from a filtering stan...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] The present invention is directed toward a user interface system and process for graphically displaying the results of a search to a user on a display device via a search results window. These results can be presented in either a clustering or histogram format, or both. A histogram and / or clustering of the search results allows the user to easily browse through the results, and as will be described shortly, filter (i.e., reduce to a smaller set) the results.

[0015] Each entry in the range list can also be visually distinguished from the other entries in the same way as the cluster subdivisions associated therewith are distinguished in the graphic data presentation sector. In this way a user can readily determine which cluster the entry applies to. In one version of the search results window where the range list is displayed in the list sector, either the range list or the listing of search results items is displayed, but not both, as specified by the user.

[0017] The search results items can be displayed in ascending order with regard to the independent variable in columns or rows on a cluster subdivision-by-subdivision basis, such that each successive column or row associated with a particular subdivision displays as many search results items as will fit in the space allotted for a respective full column or row in the list sector or as many search result items as there are left in the subdivision which are not displayed in a preceding column or row. When this listing configuration is employed, yet another optional feature of the cluster format can be included—namely, a pseudo histogram map feature. In essence, this feature involves displaying a pseudo histogram map of the search results items over the cluster subdivisions. This map has bars oriented perpendicular to the independent variable axis, each of which represents a column or row of search results items as they would be displayed in the list sector. In addition, each map bar has a length proportional to the number of search results items represented. Each cluster subdivision is displayed with a width, while still proportional to the number of search results associated therewith, that is long enough so that all the pseudo histogram map bars representing the search results items of the subdivision are displayed within the subdivision. In one version of the pseudo histogram map feature, the bars appear as a series of separated co-linear blocks, each of which represents the same number of search results items. For example, each block could represent one search results item. This provides a way for the user to easily know how many items are listed in the applicable column or row with just a glance.

Problems solved by technology

The personal computer will eventually have extremely large amounts of storage capacity, resulting in larger data stores, and search results that will be produced in large sets.

These large search results sets will be difficult to analyze effectively.

The typical timeline displays of the search results can be difficult to deal with in certain scales of time or number of objects.

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